James Harry E. Stronach

JAMES HARRY E. STRONACH

JAMES HARRY E. STRONACH; (Dr.Abra.^G3; Nelson^G2; Geo.^G1) b. 1884; d. 11 Jun 1935; m. 20 Feb 1907, LOTTIE HATT, d/o Nelson; b. 1887; d. 25 Mar 1981.

Their children:

1. DOROTHY STRONACH; b. 1907; d. 12 Oct 1986, age 86; unmarried.

2. MURRAY STRONACH; b. 1908; d. 22 Mar 1995, age 86; m. 2 Jun 1941, IOLA DOWNIE.

3. HOWARD STRONACH; b. 1909; d. 1971; m. 5 Apr 1941, E. VERNA BANKS.

4. G. VAUGHN STRONACH; b. 1911; d. 17 Aug 1969; m. 17 Aug 1938, E. KATHLEEN WINOTT, b. 1914; d. 2 Jan 1968.

5. EILEEN STRONACH; m. 30 Aug 1930, CECIL GOULD.

6. HALSEY STRONACH; b. 1914; d. 1949; m. 28 Nov 1939, JEANETTE THOMPSON.

7. ROBERT VERNON STRONACH; b. 1915; d. 21 Jun 1996, age 80; m. 22 Apr 1947, GEORGINA FRIZZLE.

8. KARL STRONACH; b. 1916; d. 25 May 1995, age 78; m. 22 Jun 1942, NELLIE MESSOM

9. JEAN STRONACH; m. 28 Jan 1941, GORDON KINSMAN.

10. KENNETH LAWRENCE STRONACH; b. 1923; d. 2 Oct 1991, age 68; m. 20 May 1944, BERNICE BENT, d/o Oscar; b. 1924; d. 28 Aug 1994, age 70.

11. MONA STRONACH; m. 5 Apr 1944, R. ALDEN BALCOM.

12. VERNA STRONACH; m. 26 Mar 1948, A. TREMAINE BANKS.

13. ELSIE STRONACH; m. 17 Jul 1951, DONALD JOHNSTON.

NOTE:

STRONACH FAMILY HONOURED.

Kingston, Nova Scotia. In July 1987, the Kingston Park hosted a dedication and celebration to mark more than 200 years combined servicce from the seven sons of Harry Stronach to the Kingston Village Volunteer Fire Department. The Family Fitness Park was renamed to honour the Stronach family for their service not only to the fire department, but to other community organizations as well.

James Harry E. Stronach was the son of Dr. Abraham and Jessie (Gates) Stronach. (Dr. Abraham was the son of Nelson Stronach, who was a son of George Stronach, who was the original settler of Stronach Mountain.) Harry married in 1906 to Lottie Hatt and together they had seven sons and six daughters. From eldest to youngest, they are as follows: Dorothy, Murray, Howard, Vaughn, Eileen, Halsey, Vernon, Karl, Jean, Kenneth, Mona, Verna, Elsie. Crippling rheumatism and heart disease plagued Harry all his life, although he managed to walk with the aid of a cane and felt-lined boots. A carpenter by trade, he and his sons built many of the fine old homes now seen in Kingston and the area. 11 June 1935 was the date that Harry Stronach peacefully died in his sleep. The children, ranging in age from six to twenty-eight, were left behind with their mother, Lottie. A well liked woman, Lottie Stronach passed away 25 March 1981, at age 93 years. Most of the children married, raised families of their own and settled in and around the Kingston area.

The brothers of this large family were rather athletic as well as hard working. They were quite famous throughout the Valley for their own hockey team. After that, they became interested in baseball, curling, bowling, lawn bowling, golf as well as hunting and fishing. Three of the brothers belonged to the Kingston Volunteer Fire Department from the time it was organized in 1944. Six of them have belonged to it throughout the years. Howard was the first fire chief and remained in that position until his death on 5 Sep 1971. This year (1987) marks more than 200 years of service from the six men.

The park dedication recognized the efforts of this unique family. A large stone was unveiled at the park after the ceremony and then an old fashioned picnic was held to encourage folks to make use of what was once an unattractive swamp.